Good News Bad News - Everyday

We live in a world filled with Good News and Bad News. More then enough, we realize that seldom is there a day that doesn’t goes by where some tragedy is graphically displayed on our tv’s and in our papers. It does not look good today or will it tomorrow or next Thursday. I even think the reporters go out of their way to find bad news.
A week or so ago, my wife and I found ourselves staring at each other during the six o’clock news. We were watching a good news hour. It seemed the station had been struggling all day to find something to report about. Funny listening to a reporter standing in the middle of a field of wilted plants telling us that July was a very dry month. Not good news but then again no tragedy of life and limb.
It went on and on until we reached the point of saying, “Do we really need the news to tell us this?” And yes, this is good. It was good not to hear about pain and sorrow. Of drug deals going wrong or police arresting this person for DWI. What a great day it is when the news is filled with personal interest items. No, shootings, no fatal traffic accidents and even no fires. When we don’t hear about these things, it is definitely a good day.
When tragedy makes the news, we listen to neighbourhood people tell us, “I don’t feel safe any more.” There are bad things by bad people happening close by good people. What comes with it are fear and concern for those we care for and people who need us for support because of fear within all our hearts.
We buy home alarms and bars for our basement windows. We install devises in our cars so they can’t be stolen. We have two or three locks on each of our doors and lock sets on our windows. Anything to feel safe. But is there a point where we fell like prisoners in our own homes?
I believe the fear of today impacts our fear of tomorrow. If it happens somewhere else today, what’s to say it can’t happen here tomorrow? But did you know that almost every book of the bible has the words “fear not” in them? It’s true. The best one is found in Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
I met a dad at church one Sunday. He came in with his son in tow. The little guy held onto his dad’s hand very tightly. When I approached the two of them, the little fellow escaped behind his fathers legs only peaking out when he thought it was safe. What an amazing life experience that demonstrates vividly how we are to walk with our heavenly father. It is then “when we walk with the Lord,” that we understand the word of Isaiah. And maybe, just maybe, that is the answer. It’s time for us to get close to Jesus. So close we will nothing to fear.
Something to think about.
Rob